Emambele Prestige Knife
Mangbetu, D.R. Congo
Iron, ivory
19th century

The most famous of the Mangbetu's prestige knives was the Emambele, the sharp-angled sickle-shaped knife with two or three holes. Its hilt was made of a variety of materials, including brass, wood, ivory, and iron. Many of the carved handles were made by a different man than the blacksmith, who created the blade. They were considered important marks of distinction and were conspicuously worn (Schildkrout & Keim, African Reflections: Art from Northeastern Zaire, 1990).

Collected by Georges François Wtterwulghe, Commissioner General of the Lado Enclave, between 1894 and 1904.

15.25 in :: 39 cm

InventoryID #13-1945

SOLD